IQNA

TEHRAN (IQNA) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Islam is not the source of "terrorism" and that cooperating with predominantly Muslim states in the fight against it is vital.

Merkel, who has been critical of US President Donald Trump's
attempt to impose a temporary travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority
countries, was speaking on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, with US
Vice President Mike Pence in the audience.

"I think, those countries, first and foremost have to
give a contribution. Because only in this way we would be able to convince
people that it is not Islam that is the source of terrorism. But a falsely
understood Islam," she said.

"I expect from religious authorities of Islam to find
strong language in order to delimitate peaceful Islam from terrorism committed
in the name of Islam. We as non-Muslims cannot do this, it should be done by
Islamic clergy and authorities," she added, Aljazeera reported.

Merkel said Europe's ties with Russia remained challenging,
but it was important to work with Russia in the fight against Daesh (ISIL or ISIS)
and similar groups.

She stressed the need to preserve and strengthen
multilateral structures such as the EU, NATO and the UN during an address that
came as concern grew about the Trump administration's approach to international
affairs and fears that it may have little interest in working in multilateral
forums.

Trump's criticism of NATO as "obsolete", his
praise for Britain's decision to leave the EU as well as his softer approach
towards Russia have unnerved allies.

"Acting together strengthens everyone," said
Merkel. "We must see that the multilateral structures are in many places
not efficient enough.

"I am firmly convinced that it is worth fighting for
our common international multilateral structures, but we must improve them in
many places."